Small commercial vessel skipper
You’ll be responsible for the safe navigation of small vessels on inland waterways, coastal routes or offshore.
Also known as: skipper, boatmaster
About the job
What it's like
As a small commercial vessel skipper, you’ll oversee the daily operation of smaller vessels at sea or on inland waterways. You’ll often take a hands‑on role in operating the vessel, especially on smaller boats, while also leading the crew.
You could be the skipper of many different types of vessel. These include small crew transfer vessels, survey vessels, large commercial rigid inflatable boats (RIBs), small workboats, vessels carrying up to 200 passengers, small ferries and safety boats.
What you do each day will depend on the industry you're in and the type of ship you command. In general, you'll plan journeys, manage staff, oversee operations on board and keep your vessel well maintained. You’ll also make sure the vessel follows domestic maritime laws and environmental regulations.
Your tasks might include:
planning and navigating the vessel, adjusting for weather, tides, traffic and hazards
carrying out pre-departure checks, including engines and safety equipment
overseeing the loading of passengers, cargo or equipment and making sure it is secure
managing a small crew, including assigning duties, supporting training and maintaining discipline
responding to emergencies and taking action to keep passengers and crew safe
communicating with other vessels, the coastguard and port authorities about the ship’s position and plans
Green job
In this job, you may carry out duties that help the environment. This could be:
working in the renewables sector, such as on offshore wind projects
following environmental regulations to limit pollution in coastal and inland waters
planning or adjusting routes to avoid wildlife or sensitive marine habitats
Explore more information about this job
Here are some useful links to learn more about this career:
Skills Development Scotland – learn more about career opportunities in Scotland across offshore wind
British Marine – discover training and careers information for the leisure marine, small commercial and superyacht industry
Royal Yachting Association – advice on pathways and qualifications for a career in the marine industry
Like the sound of this career?
Browse courses in Scotland related to 'Small commercial vessel skipper'
Select qualification level(s)
Other careers that you might like
-
Merchant navy engineering officer -
Deck officer -
Ship master
Related industries
Many jobs can be done in lots of different industries. We've highlighted the ones we think are most important for this job.
-
Animals, land, water and environment -
Energy -
Transport -
Tourism and hospitality
Top skills
Skills are things you're good at. Whether you know what yours are or not, everyone has them!
It's useful to learn which ones are important in a job so you know the areas you need to brush up on. It can also help you work out if you're suited to a career.
Meta skills
Here are some of the meta skills you'll need to do this job.
- verbal communication
- reliable
- resilience
- time management
- working with technology
- problem solving
- attention to detail
- making decisions
- cooperating
- attention to detail
Your skills are important
Our unique skillsets are what make us stand out from the crowd. Learn about each skill in depth and discover what employers look for in your applications and interviews.
Getting in
Explore each section to find more information about getting into this career.
Colleges and universities will list subjects you'll need for entry to a course. Some useful subjects include:
-
Maths (Mathematics)
-
Physics
-
Engineering Science
-
English
-
Geography
-
Environmental Science
It's a hands-on career, with a mix of industry training and practical experience on working vessels needed.
Explore some of the routes into this career.
Professional qualifications
To work as a skipper, you need to gain the right industry qualifications.
For most small commercial vessels, this means getting a Boatmasters' Licence (BML). In the commercial yachting sector, you may need a Yachtmaster qualification instead.
You’ll usually work towards these qualifications by completing training courses and gaining sea time.
Boatmaster and other relevant qualifications are issued by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA).
Yachtmaster and other relevant qualifications are issued by the Royal Yachting Association (RYA).
You can train through maritime colleges or training centres. Employers often support staff to gain these qualifications, but it is also possible to self‑fund your training.
Work
You can start in an entry-level job, such as deckhand. From there, you can train and gain sea time and experience. Your employer will usually support you to get the qualifications you need to progress to more senior roles.
College
You can gain some of the knowledge and qualifications you need for this career at college. For example, you could sit the theory aspect of a Yachtmaster qualification.
Other useful subjects include:
Nautical Science
Maritime Skills
Access to Maritime
Use the My World of Work course search to find college courses.
Apprenticeships
A Modern Apprenticeship (MA) means you learn on the job. You get paid and work towards a qualification at the same time.
Check out this Maritime Occupations MA on Apprenticeships.scot.
Completing this MA will not lead to the RYA or MCA-approved qualifications you'll need to become a skipper. But it can still be a useful first step into a career at sea.
Having a basic grasp of other languages is beneficial. You may work with a multicultural crew, so this’ll help you communicate with them.
Joining the Sea Cadets (for ages 10 to 18) or Sea Rangers (for ages 18 to 29) can help you build confidence and learn valuable water-based skills.
Employers will list the specific professional qualifications they're looking for in job adverts.
You'll also need to pass background and medical checks.
You may need additional endorsements depending on the type of vessel, such as carrying passengers.
Continued learning is important for this career to stay qualified.
Find the right course for you
Browse courses in Scotland related to 'Small commercial vessel skipper'
